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Government invests to expand tourism
Accra, Nov. 15, Ghanadot/GNA - The Government intends to
spend GH¢4,043,663 on the development of tourism next year.
The amount would be used to improve the standard of tourism
marketing and services in both public and private sectors;
upgrade and expand the stock of facilities and to facilitate
the development of Old Accra.
Out of the total amount allocated to the Ministry of Tourism
and Diasporan Relations, Government would provide GH¢3,739,533
while GH¢304,130 would be provided from internally generated
funds.
Mr Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning,
announced the allocation when he read the 2008 Budget
Statement in Parliament on Thursday.
He noted that the Ministry sought to deepen the relations
with African and Ghanaian Diaspora through Emancipation/PANAFEST
and the Joseph Project activities.
The Minister said the Joseph Project (Akwaaba Anyemi), aimed
at making Ghana the gateway to the "Homeland" for over 40
million African Diasporans; was launched this year.
Mr Baah-Wiredu said the Ministry would in 2008 participate
in international exhibitions and fairs and would continue to
market Ghana through the celebration of the
Emancipation/Joseph Project/World Tourism.
The Ministry would further organize the Fourth Paragliding
Festival at Atibie, Kwahu and promote and manage Ghana's
coastal areas for investment purposes.
Other projects, the Ministry intends to undertake include
the establishment of Tourism Information Centres in 10
regional and 20 district capitals in the country as well as
organizing training programmes to ensure that the ECOWAS
standards for service delivery were observed.
The Finance Minister said the Tourism Ministry would
continue to facilitate the development of Old Accra,
especially the development of Ababio Square and the Old
Fishing Harbour, facilitate the setting up of Rest Stops
along major roads and construct receptive facilities at
Akwamufie and Saltpond.
Touching on the achievement of the Ministry in 2007, Mr
Baah-Wiredu said the Ministry in partnership with the Accra
Metropolitan Assembly, the Municipality of Amsterdam and the
Royal Netherlands Embassy in Ghana had constructed and
inaugurated an office in the Old City Engineers Yard for the
Old Accra Development Agency.
He said the contract for the rehabilitation of the Brazil
House has been signed between the Tabon Family of Brazilian
decent in Ga Mashie, the Brazilian Embassy and the Project
Implementation Committee.
The Brazil House, he said, would be used as a museum to
expose Brazilian Heritage in Ghana to enhance tourism in the
area.
The Ministry also procured a number of artefacts and
pictures as part of its efforts to create a museum of modern
Ghana. The restoration and listing of historical buildings
for conservation and tourist attraction is also being
undertaken.
The Ghana Tourist Board implemented a programme dubbed:
"Ghanaians tourist-friendly", with the ultimate aim of
making Ghana the preferred tourist destination in West
Africa.
In addition the Board trained 1,000 personnel from the
private sector in front desk office duty, food and beverage
service and housekeeping through a crash-training programme
to improve service delivery in the industry.
The Ministry, through Hotel Catering and Tourism Training
Institute (HOTCATT), trained 300 youth for employment in the
hospitality industry apart from training 40 tour guides and
travel and tour operators.
GNA
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